Maternal gut microbiome regulates immunity to RSV infection in offspring

2021 ◽  
Vol 218 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Fonseca ◽  
Carrie-Anne Malinczak ◽  
Kei Fujimura ◽  
Danny Li ◽  
Kathryn McCauley ◽  
...  

Development of the immune system can be influenced by diverse extrinsic and intrinsic factors that influence the risk of disease. Severe early life respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with persistent immune alterations. Previously, our group had shown that adult mice orally supplemented with Lactobacillus johnsonii exhibited decreased airway immunopathology following RSV infection. Here, we demonstrate that offspring of mice supplemented with L. johnsonii exhibit reduced airway mucus and Th2 cell–mediated response to RSV infection. Maternal supplementation resulted in a consistent gut microbiome in mothers and their offspring. Importantly, supplemented maternal plasma and breastmilk, and offspring plasma, exhibited decreased inflammatory metabolites. Cross-fostering studies showed that prenatal Lactobacillus exposure led to decreased Th2 cytokines and lung inflammation following RSV infection, while postnatal Lactobacillus exposure diminished goblet cell hypertrophy and mucus production in the lung in response to airway infection. These studies demonstrate that Lactobacillus modulation of the maternal microbiome and associated metabolic reprogramming enhance airway protection against RSV in neonates.

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2055
Author(s):  
Andrew R. Connelly ◽  
Brian M. Jeong ◽  
Mackenzie E. Coden ◽  
Jacob Y. Cao ◽  
Tatiana Chirkova ◽  
...  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal mucosal pathogen that infects the ciliated respiratory epithelium and results in the most severe morbidity in the first six months of life. RSV is a common cause of acute respiratory infection during infancy and is an important early-life risk factor strongly associated with asthma development. While this association has been repeatedly demonstrated, limited progress has been made on the mechanistic understanding in humans of the contribution of infant RSV infection to airway epithelial dysfunction. An active infection of epithelial cells with RSV in vitro results in heightened central metabolism and overall hypermetabolic state; however, little is known about whether natural infection with RSV in vivo results in lasting metabolic reprogramming of the airway epithelium in infancy. To address this gap, we performed functional metabolomics, 13C glucose metabolic flux analysis, and RNA-seq gene expression analysis of nasal airway epithelial cells (NAECs) sampled from infants between 2–3 years of age, with RSV infection or not during the first year of life. We found that RSV infection in infancy was associated with lasting epithelial metabolic reprogramming, which was characterized by (1) significant increase in glucose uptake and differential utilization of glucose by epithelium; (2) altered preferences for metabolism of several carbon and energy sources; and (3) significant sexual dimorphism in metabolic parameters, with RSV-induced metabolic changes most pronounced in male epithelium. In summary, our study supports the proposed phenomenon of metabolic reprogramming of epithelial cells associated with RSV infection in infancy and opens exciting new venues for pursuing mechanisms of RSV-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction in early life.


2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. L222-L231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vatsana Phaybouth ◽  
Shan-Ze Wang ◽  
Julie A. Hutt ◽  
Jacob D. McDonald ◽  
Kevin S. Harrod ◽  
...  

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects ∼90% of young children by the age of 2 yr, with peak rates occurring during 2–6 mo of age. Exposure to side-stream cigarette smoke (SS) may increase the incidence or manifestation of an RSV infection. We hypothesized that exposure to SS would alter the subsequent immune response to RSV infection in neonatal mice. BALB/c mice were exposed to air or 1.5 mg/m3 of SS from day (d) 1 up to 35 d of age. A subset was intranasally infected with 4 × 104 PFU of RSV/g body wt on d 7 and rechallenged at 28 d of age. Immune responses were assessed on d 4 and 7 after RSV rechallenge. Both air- and SS-exposed mice responded to RSV rechallenge with neutrophilia and decreased Clara cell secretory protein levels within the lung. However, an increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophils, in addition to reduced levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12), decreased lung tissue inflammation, and decreased mucus production was observed in SS-exposed mice compared with air-exposed mice after RSV rechallenge. Ultimately changes in cytokine and inflammatory responses due to SS exposure likely contributed to increased viral gene expression. These results suggest that SS exposure plays a significant role in shaping the neonatal response to RSV infection.


Viruses ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Abenaya Muralidharan ◽  
Md Bashir Uddin ◽  
Christopher Bauer ◽  
Wenzhe Wu ◽  
Xiaoyong Bao ◽  
...  

The susceptibility to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in early life has been associated with a deficient T-helper cell type 1 (Th1) response. Conversely, healthy adults generally do not exhibit severe illness from RSV infection. In the current study, we investigated whether Th1 cytokine IFN-γ is essential for protection against RSV and RSV-associated comorbidities in adult mice. We found that, distinct from influenza virus, prior RSV infection does not induce significant IFN-γ production and susceptibility to secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in adult wild-type (WT) mice. In ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mice, RSV super-infection increases airway neutrophil recruitment and inflammatory lung damage but has no significant effect on OVA-induced eosinophilia. Compared with WT controls, RSV infection of asthmatic Ifng−/− mice results in increased airway eosinophil accumulation. However, a comparable increase in eosinophilia was detected in house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthmatic Ifng−/− mice in the absence of RSV infection. Furthermore, neither WT nor Ifng−/− mice exhibit apparent eosinophil infiltration during RSV infection alone. Together, these findings indicate that, despite its critical role in limiting eosinophilic inflammation during asthma, IFN-γ is not essential for protection against RSV-induced exacerbation of asthmatic inflammation in adult mice.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Nan Wang ◽  
Xiang-Lei Peng ◽  
Min Xu ◽  
Yuan-Bo Zheng ◽  
Yue-Ying Jiao ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI), and no vaccine against LRTI has proven to be safe and effective in infants. Our study assessed attenuated recombinant RSVs as vaccine candidates to prevent RSV infection in mice. The constructed recombinant plasmids harbored (5′ to 3′) a T7 promoter, hammerhead ribozyme, RSV Long strain antigenomic cDNA with cold-passaged (cp) mutations or cp combined with temperature-sensitive attenuated mutations from the A2 strain (A2cpts) or further combined with SH gene deletion (A2cptsΔSH), HDV ribozyme (δ), and a T7 terminator. These vectors were subsequently co-transfected with four helper plasmids encoding N, P, L, and M2-1 viral proteins into BHK/T7-9 cells, and the recovered viruses were then passaged in Vero cells. The rescued recombinant RSVs (rRSVs) were named rRSV-Long/A2cp, rRSV-Long/A2cpts, and rRSV-Long/A2cptsΔSH, respectively, and stably passaged in vitro, without reversion to wild type (wt) at sites containing introduced mutations or deletion. Although rRSV-Long/A2cpts and rRSV-Long/A2cptsΔSH displayed  temperature-sensitive (ts) phenotype in vitro and in vivo, all rRSVs were significantly attenuated in vivo. Furthermore, BALB/c mice immunized with rRSVs produced Th1-biased immune response, resisted wtRSV infection, and were free from enhanced respiratory disease. We showed that the combination of ΔSH with attenuation (att) mutations of cpts contributed to improving att phenotype, efficacy, and gene stability of rRSV. By successfully introducing att mutations and SH gene deletion into the RSV Long parent and producing three rRSV strains, we have laid an important foundation for the development of RSV live attenuated vaccines.


Author(s):  
Ian Mitchell ◽  
Abby Li ◽  
Candice L. Bjornson ◽  
Krista L. Lanctot ◽  
Bosco A. Paes ◽  
...  

Objective This study aimed to evaluate palivizumab (PVZ) use, trends in indications, and outcomes of respiratory illness hospitalizations (RIH) and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations (RSVH). Study Design It involves a large, Canadian prospective (2005–2017) observational multicenter study of children at high risk for RSV infection. Results A total of 25,003 infants (56.3% male) were enrolled at 32 sites; 109,579 PVZ injections were administered. Indications included: prematurity (63.3%); “miscellaneous” (17.8%); hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (10.5%); bronchopulmonary dysplasia/chronic lung disease (8.4%). The “miscellaneous” group increased over time (4.4% in 2005–2006 to 22.5% in 2016–2017) and included: trisomy 21, airway anomalies, pulmonary disorders, cystic fibrosis, neurological impairments, immunocompromised, cardiac aged >2 years, multiple conditions, and a residual “unclassified” group. Adherence measured by expected versus actual doses plus correct interdose interval was 64.7%. A total of 2,054 RIH occurred (6.9%); 198 (9.6%) required intubation. Three hundred thirty-seven hospitalized children were RSV-positive (overall RSVH 1.6%). Risk factors for RSVH included having siblings, attending daycare, family history of atopy, smoking exposure, and crowded household. Infants with 5 risk factors were 9.0 times (95% CI or confidence interval 4.4–18.2; p < 0.0005) more likely to have RSVH than infants without risk factors. Three adverse events occurred; none were fatal. Conclusion Results are relevant to both clinicians and decision-makers. We confirmed the safety of PVZ. Use of PVZ increased steadily for children with miscellaneous conditions and medical complexity. Medical and social factors pose a risk for severe RIH and RSVH with accompanying burden of illness. A vaccine that protects against RSV is urgently required. Key Points


Author(s):  
Prasad Nagakumar ◽  
Ceri-Louise Chadwick ◽  
Andrew Bush ◽  
Atul Gupta

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-COV-2 virus fortunately resulted in few children suffering from severe disease. However, the collateral effects on the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have had significant detrimental effects on children affected and young people. There are also some positive impacts in the form of reduced prevalence of viral bronchiolitis. The new strain of SARS-COV-2 identified recently in the UK appears to have increased transmissibility to children. However, there are no large vaccine trials set up in children to evaluate safety and efficacy. In this short communication, we review the collateral effects of COVID-19 pandemic in children and young people. We highlight the need for urgent strategies to mitigate the risks to children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What is Known:• Children and young people account for <2% of all COVID-19 hospital admissions• The collateral impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people is devastating• Significant reduction in influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the southern hemisphere What is New:• The public health measures to reduce COVID-19 infection may have also resulted in near elimination of influenza and RSV infections across the globe• A COVID-19 vaccine has been licensed for adults. However, large scale vaccine studies are yet to be initiated although there is emerging evidence of the new SARS-COV-2 strain spreading more rapidly though young people.• Children and young people continue to bear the collateral effects of COVID-19 pandemic


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abate Yeshidinber Weldetsadik ◽  
Frank Riedel

Abstract Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the commonest cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in infants. However, the burden of RSV is unknown in Ethiopia. We aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonality and predictors of RSV infection in young infants with ALRI for the first time in Ethiopia. Methods We performed RSV immuno-chromatographic assay from nasopharyngeal swabs of infants, 29 days to 6 months of age. We included the first 10 eligible infants in each month from June 2018 to May 2019 admitted in a tertiary pediatric center. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were also collected, and chi-square test and regression were used to assess associated factors with RSV infection. Results Among a total of 117 study children, 65% were male and mean age was 3 months. Bronchiolitis was the commonest diagnosis (49%). RSV was isolated from 26 subjects (22.2%) of all ALRI, 37% of bronchiolitis and 11% of pneumonia patients. Although RSV infection occurred year round, highest rate extended from June to November. No clinical or laboratory parameter predicted RSV infection and only rainy season (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 10.46 [95%. C.I. 1.95, 56.18]) was independent predictor of RSV infection. Conclusions RSV was isolated in a fifth of young infants with severe ALRI, mostly in the rainy season. Diagnosis of RSV infection in our setting require specific tests as no clinical parameter predicted RSV infection. Since RSV caused less than a quarter of ALRI in our setting, the other causes should be looked for in future studies.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 548
Author(s):  
Kiramage Chathuranga ◽  
Asela Weerawardhana ◽  
Niranjan Dodantenna ◽  
Lakmal Ranathunga ◽  
Won-Kyung Cho ◽  
...  

Sargassum fusiforme, a plant used as a medicine and food, is regarded as a marine vegetable and health supplement to improve life expectancy. Here, we demonstrate that S. fusiforme extract (SFE) has antiviral effects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro and in vivo mouse model. Treatment of HEp2 cells with a non-cytotoxic concentration of SFE significantly reduced RSV replication, RSV-induced cell death, RSV gene transcription, RSV protein synthesis, and syncytium formation. Moreover, oral inoculation of SFE significantly improved RSV clearance from the lungs of BALB/c mice. Interestingly, the phenolic compounds eicosane, docosane, and tetracosane were identified as active components of SFE. Treatment with a non-cytotoxic concentration of these three components elicited similar antiviral effects against RSV infection as SFE in vitro. Together, these results suggest that SFE and its potential components are a promising natural antiviral agent candidate against RSV infection.


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